WORCESTER — This large Victorian mansion at 47 Cedar St. is similar to several other homes in the Elm Park neighborhood, a quiet tree-lined area that's just a short walk to the downtown.

In the 18th century, the area was made up of large estates and farms that were broken up and subdivided as the city's population grew and as housing demands dramatically increased.

It was particularly attractive to the wealthy, especially when, in 1854, 28 acres of swampland were purchased by the city for $11,257 from Levi Lincoln and John Hammond, two prominent citizens, and set aside for what would eventually become Elm Park.

It was said to be the first time in the nation that public money was used to buy park land.

The neighborhood became even more appealing when, in 1888, another 60 acres of Mr. Hammond's land were acquired as an extension to Elm Park. That swath is now known as Newton Hill.

In the 1980s and 1990s, many of the big homes were bought for office or institutional space. They contained a mix of space for psychologists, doctors, accountants, therapists and other professionals.

This mansion hasn't been a residence in years, and was the longtime home of the Salter Secretarial School.

It was bought a few years ago by Becker College and serves as classroom and other space.

The school, which has seen rapid growth, has bought a number of similar properties recently.

Becker, which can trace its roots to 1784, now has about 2,000 students in such programs as animal, criminal justice and legal studies; design; education; psychology; liberal arts, and nursing.

City officials believe that more and more of the grand old homes will be gobbled up as the need for office and institutional space continues to spiral upward.